Doing selfies and kisses and other close contact activities are still not allowed under the reintegrated in-person campaign guidelines of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a press briefing on Thursday, March 17, Commissioner George Irwin Garcia said this is the first thing that people would notice once they release the recalibrated person campaign guidelines.

"Hindi po namin tinanggal doon yung bawal ang handshake, bawal ang arm-to-arm, bawal ang kissing, bawal ang selfie, hindi po namin tinanggal yun (We did not remove the prohibition on handshakes, arm-to-arm, kisses, selfies. We did not remove those)," Garcia said.

He mentioned that this was to avoid having the relaxed protocols that they have allowed to be the source of the spread of Covid-19 since they would already allow 100 percent capacity in venues of in-person campaign activities.

He announced after their most recent en banc meeting on Wednesday, March 16 that permits will no longer be secured from th eComelec Campaign Committee for areas Under Alert Level 1 and 2. They will also be allow to have 100 percent capacity for venues and 70 percent for Alert Level 1 and Alert Level 2, respectively.

Garcia explained that they recognize the efforts of candidates in securing the needed permits. He added that they they also recognize the power of local government units (LGUs) to grant permission to candidates to conduct phyisical campaign activities.

Meanwhile, wearing of masks will still be in enforced while Garcia said that the provision on face shields has already been removed.

"It is also our obligation to ensure that health protocols are properly observed. That the health of the people will always be the number one priority in terms of the pandemic," he said.